Seed-planter.



. 5 I PATENTED JULY 7, 1908.

1 s 0. THOMAS.

SEED PLANTER.

APPLIOATION PILED AUG. 26, 1907- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

/9 v I Q1 SAMUEL O. THOMAS, OF BEAN LAKE STATION, MISSOURI.

SEED-PLAN'IER.

Application filed August 26, 1907.

i Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July 7, 1908.

Serial No. 390,099.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, SAMUEL C; THOMAS, a citizen of the United States, residing at Bean Lake Station, in the county of Platte and State of Missouri, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Seed-Planters, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to seed planters and my object is to produce an efficient and reliable machine of this character which can be used as an ordinary seed planter or for re lanting purposes as an attachment to a iister cultivator. A further object is to produce a machine of the character outlined of simple, strong, durable and cheap construction.

To these ends the invention consists in certain novel and peculiar features of construction and organization as hereinafter described and claimed; and in order that it may be fully understood reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings, in which 2- Figure 1, is a vertical section of a machine embodying my invention I-I of Fig.2, and

Fig. 2, is a top plan view of the same with the seat-carrying arch of the cultivator in section. Fig. 3, is an enlarged vertical section taken on the line TIL-Ill of Fig. view of one of the seed-spout plates. Fig. 5,

is a side view of a seed-dropping wheel having alternate holes closed by plugs. Fig. 6,

is a section on the line VIVI of Fig. 5. Fig. 7, is a side view on a reduced scale of the machine when arranged as an' ordinary planter. Fig. 8, is a detail perspective view of a sleeve forming part of the machine. Fig. 9, is an enlarged detail perspective view of a modified form of the seed-dropping wheel. Fig. 10, is a horizontal section to show the adjustable connection of-the spring with the seed-dropping wheel to accommodate the size or grade of corn employed.

In the said drawings where like reference characters indicate corresponding parts, 1 indicates a seed-dropping wheel adapted to be turned by its frictional engagement with the ground and provided with a sharpened edge 2 or it may be a thin edge and be provided with tongues 3 projecting alternately outward in opposite directions as shown in Fig. 9, these tongues being preferably produced by stamping them out of the body of the wheel. The wheel is provided with'a hub 5 of any suitable type and with a plutaken on the linealso shows a sled culti vator assoclated therewit 2. Fig. 4, is an inner facesure their pro rality of flaring seed is adapted plained, an when it is desired to space the grain at greater distances apart u on the holes 6 through which the means of frustum-shaped plugs 7, said plugs being preferably secured in the holes by setscrews 8;.as shown clearly in Figs. 5 and 6. The hub of the wheel is journaled in a of seed-s out plates 9 and 10, between w ich the whee is snugly fitted, anti-friction rollers 11 being preferably interposed between the periphera end portions of the hub and the circular walls of the sockets or recesses 12 formed in said plates to receive the hub. The plates and wheel are secured in operative relation by a pin 13 extending through the plates and hub and engaged by spring-' cotter 14 at the outer sides of the plates.

Plate 9 projects upward above plate 10 and is provided with an opening 15 having its lower end at a distance from the axis of the wheel corresponding to the seeddropping holes therein, and extending across said opening 15 is a spring 16 having one end .ad-

justably secured to plate 9 and its opposite or free end pressing yieldingly against the corresponding face of the wheel when no hole 6 of the latter happens to be opposite said free end of said spring, the body of the spring being disposed parallel with and a distance from the Wheel slightly exceeding the thickness of a grain of corn for the purpose of compelling such grain to slip edgewise between the whe'el and spring 16 and thus iner. ejection bythe free end of said spring p ate, into the holes 6 as they successively come opposite said ends of the spring. Plate 9 in conjunction with the angle plate 17 constitutes a hopper to contain a supply of grain and to direct such grain toward the wheel and deliver each grain edgewiseinto the space between the wheel and the spring, the ho per is provided with a false bottom 18 whic slants downward toward and terminates just above the spring 16.

The plate 10 is provided forward of its axis with a shallow channel 19 in the, plane to pass as hereinafter exair .ground certain of said holes may be c osed by plunger or ball and on a cover plate 24 at the opposite end of said hole, to force the plunger or ball partly into each hole 6 in the rotation of the Wheel, the projection of the plunger or ball into said 1ole obviously dislodging any grain of corn stickingin the hole. The seed-spout is propoint of the mold-board plane of the seed-spout, being noticed by reference to Fig. 3 that onelwall of said spout is formed by the wheel itse f.

In the horizontal plane of pin 13 and forward and rearward of the latter, the plate 10 is provided with sockets 26, the plate 9 having similar sockets,

sockets 26 of plates and being likewise bolted thereto, the rear ends of bars 28 being preferably connected by a bolt 29 and spaced apart by a sleeve 30 mounted on said bolt.

31 indicates channeled brackets secured on bars 28 and 32 angular bars adjustably secured as at 33 to brackets 31, the lower of the grain at different depths.

he front end of the frame of the machine, constituted by bars 27, 28, and the seed plates, turns upward at its front end and is connected by a pin or bolt 35 and above the latter, by preference is equipped with drafthooks 36, that is, is equipped with such hooks when the machine is to be used as an planter, and at such time the madistances apart.

When the machine is to be used as a replanter it is applied to the sled of an ordinary ister cultivator, the sled comprising two parallel sections 41 connected by a front arch 42 and a rear arch 43, the latter forming a support for the seat 44. When used in conplanter is itself g 23 exerting driver, it being understood that its use in replanting is primarily to plant grains of corn in the furrows where corn has failed to make its appearance by the time the field of listed corn is to be cultivated the first time. For such purpose the dropping of the corn must be under the control of the driver and to accomplish this the attachments referred to are provided and are as follows z-45 and 46 indicate a lower and an upper set of bearing blocks, bolts 47 extending through said blocks at the outer and inner sides of the upright portions of the arch 42, and fitting upon said bolts at the opposite side of the arch are clamp plates 48 held in place by clamping nuts 49 engaging the ends of the bolts 47, the lower set of bearing blocks being disposed at the rear side and the upper set at the front side of said arch. When used as a replanter the pin or bolt 35 hereinbefore mentioned is of suflicient length to be journaled in bearing blocks 45, and when so used the spacing sleeve 40 is provided with tenons 50 projecting from its ends and engaging notches 51 in the bars 27, to interlock the latter with the sleeve, the latter being secured by setscrew 52 rigidly upon the pin 56 is a cross rod journaled in bearing blocks 46 and provided with a central hole 57 through which slidingly pivoted at its lower end on a cross pin or bolt 59 connecting the upper ends of bars 27, when the machine is used as a replanter, and mounted on said rod and interposed between its head and rod 56 is a helical spring 60 for the purpose of either holding the wheel I yieldingly against the ground or for holding it above the ground, as hereinafterreferred to.

61 indicates a toothed-sector arranged concentrically with respect to pin or shaft 35 and bolted by preference to the right-hand seetion of the sled as at 62.

63 indicates a lever secured rigidly on the shaft or pin 35 and provided with slots 64 and 65 and with a pair of ears 66. ($7 is a grip-lever pivoted to said ears and 68 is a dog pivoted to the grip-lever and pressed nor mally toward the sector by spring 61) interposed between lever 63 and grip-lever 67. The dog 68 is in the form of a rod having its extremities at the same side of lever 63 as the sector and provided with a U-shaped portion 70 of which the bridge lies at the outer side of lever 63, the upper arm extends through slot 65 and the lower arm through slot 64, the last-named arm being adapted to be held normally in engagement with one of the notches of the sector.

It will be noticed by reference to Fig. 1

I that the tendency of spring 60 is to hold wheel 1, ressed down upon the ground and that the atch-mechanism constituted by the parts numbered from 61 to 70 inclusive, is utilized to lock the seed-dropping wheel in 1 the desired position so that it shall plant at a uniform depth.- By grasping the lever 63 2, a perforations arranged concentrically around its axis, a plate forming a journal for said Wheel and fitting snugly against the same and provided with a hopper of which the wheel forms one side and said holes successive discharge openings for the hopper when the wheel is revolved, and a companion plate at the opposite side of and forming a journal and a closure for the holes of the wheel, and provided with a spout passage with which the holes successively come into engagement.

. 8. In a seed-planter, a wheel provided with perforations arranged concentrically around its axis, a plate forming a journal for said wheel and fitting snugly against the same and provided with a hopper of which the wheel forms one side and said holes successive discharge openings for the hopper when the wheel is revolved, and a companion plate forming a journal for the wheel at its opposite side and fitting snugly against the same and provided with a curved channel with which successively registers said holes of the wheel, and with a spout at the lower end of and communicating with said channel having one side formed by said wheel.

4. In a seed-planter, a Wheelprovided with perforations arranged concentrically around its axis, a plate forming a journal for said wheel and fitting snugly against the same and provided with a hopper of which the wheel forms one side and said holes successive discharge openings for 'the hopper when the wheel is revolved, a companion 'plate at the opposite side of the wheel and also forming a journal therefor and a closure for the holes of the wheel, and provided with a spout passage with which the holes successively come into engagement, and a spring actuated plunger mounted in the first-named plate and engaging the wheel opposite the seedspout and adapted as the holes of the wheel successively register with said spout to project into said holes at the opposite side and insure the ejection of the grain of corn which may be therein, into said spout.

5. In a seed-planter, perforations arranged concentrically around its axis, a plate forming a journal for said wheel and fitting snugly against the same and provided with a hopper of which the wheel forms one side and said holes successive discharge openings for the hopper when the wheel is revolved, a companion pl and the grip-lever 67 the dog-will be withdrawn from engagement with the sector. The lever may then be thrown forward for the purpose of rocking pin or shaft 35 and raising the wheel 1 ofi the ground. The first part of this raising movement is resisted by spring 60, but as soon as bolt 59 passesthe p ane occupied by pins 35 and 56, said spring starts to expand and 006 erates with the lever movement in raising tilie seed dropping wheel, and also tends to support said wheel in its elevated position and thus relieve the latch-mechanism of considerable strain.

For the purpose of preventing earth from accumulating on the side of the seed-dropping wheel, I provide a air of scrapers 71 secured to seed-spout p ates 9 and 10 as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, or otherwise.

In practice as the lister cultivator is drawn across the field ,-the cultivator appliances of such machine being omitted from the drawings in this case as unnecessary,-the driver upon the seat watches for spaces in the furrow where corn has not sprouted and when henotes such a space he grasps lever 63, unlocks the latch-mechanism and lowers wheel 1, the result being said wheel travels upon the ground in line with the growing plants and at regular intervals drops a grain of corn into the shallow groove turned by the plow or furrow-opener 25. As the wheel reaches the end of the unplanted strip (which 'may be a few feet or several yards long, being usually the work of moles) the driver raises the wheel to inoperative position and permits it to remain in such a position until he again encounters an unplanted stri when he repeats the operation described. It will thus be seen thatthe machine can be conveniently applied to an ordinary lister cultivator for the purpose of planting while the cultivating operation of the sprouted corn'is in progress.

From the above description it Wlll be apparent that I have produced a-machine embodying, the features of the advantage enumerated as desirable in the statement of the object of the invention, and I wish it to be understood that changes in the form, proportion, detail construction and arrangement 0 the parts may be resorted to without departing from the principle of construction involved.

Having thus described the invention what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. In a seedlanter, a wheel provided with perforations arranged concentrically around its axis, a plate forming a journal for said wheel and fitting snugly against the same and provided with a hopper of which the wheel forms one side and said holes successive discharge openings for the hopper when the wheel is revolved.

2. In a seed-planter,

ate at the opposite side of the wheel and also forming a journal therefor and a closure for the holes of the wheel, and provided with a spout passage with which the holes successively come into engagement, and a furrow-opener attached to the lower end of the plate provided with a spout to produce a furrow into which the corn may drop from the spout.

6.- In a seed-planter, a wheel provide with perforations arranged concentrically a wheel provided with around its axis, a plate forming a journal for a wheel provided with cessive discharge openings for the p when the Wheel is revolved, a companion plate at the opposite side of the wheel and also forming a journal therefor and a closure opener attached to the provided with into which the corn may drop from the spout, and means for turning the soil into said furrow after the corn has been dropped therein.

7. In a seedplanter, a an opening and with ing therewith, a seedspout, a wheel fitting snugly between and journaled in plate provided with a hopper communicatholes for successive engagement with said opening and spout, and a spring within and at the bottom of the hopper and substantially paralleling the proximate face of the wheel and having one end secured to the plate and the other turned toward the wheel.

In a seed-planter a plate provided with and journaled'in said plates and forming the inner sides of the hopper and seed-spout re spectively and provided with a plurality of holes for successive engagement with said opening and spout, and a spring within and at the bottom of the hopper and substantially paralleling the proximate face of the its runners "y of 1 [wheel and having one end secured to the plate and the other turned toward the wheel, and a deflector within the hopper and pro jecting into the opening of the lirst-nanned plate and terminating over the said spring.

9. The combination with a sled having its runners connected by arches, of a seedplanter arranged between the sled and embodying a frame pivoted for vertical movement at its front end, a cross-har carried by the front arches and suitably journaled at its ends, a rod extending slidingly through said. bar and pivoted at its lower end to the frame above the pivotal point of the latter, a lever to rock the frame so as to raise or lower the seed dropping mechanism, and a spring tending to hold said mechanism in its elevated or depressed position.

10. The combination with connected by arches, of a seedplanter between the runners of the sled and embodying a frame pivoted for vertical movement at its front end, a cross-bar the front arches and suitably carried by journaled at its ends, a rod extending slidingly through said bar and pivoted at its ower end. to the frame above the pivotal point of the latter, a lever to rock the frame so as to raise or lower the seed dropping mechanism, and a spring tending to hold said mechanism in its elevated or depressed position, and a latch-meclianism to lock the lever with planter frame adjusted as desired.

In testimony whereof I allix my signature, in the presence of two witnesses.

SAMUEL (I. TIIIOA'IAS.

a sled having Witnesses EDGAR L. GARDNER, Jnssn J. STANTON. 

